Clovis & Portales, New Mexico: quality life on the high plains

New Mexico Business Journal, July, 1990 by Carolyn Pressley

Clovis & Portales New Mexico

Quality Life on the High Plains

LIFE ON THE HIGH PLAINS OF NEW Mexico reflects a blend of economic bustle and an atmosphere of friendliness and caring. The rural economic base for Curry and Roosevelt counties is defined by thousands of acres of cultivated farmland and ranches that stretch to the horizon.

The agribusiness base is complemented by many agriculture-related businesses and providers and by major employers such as Cannon Air Force Base and Eastern New Mexico University.

The friendly and caring atmosphere is a legacy, perhaps, from the early settlers who came by train and wagon and who fostered a spirit of cooperation to live on the High Plains.

Located between Clovis and Portales, Cannon Air Force Base provides an on-going element of change and renewal.

Clovis

Good schools, health care, shopping recreational opportunities and entertainment mark Clovis as an ideal small city. Located in Eastern New Mexico, just seven miles west of the Texas state line, Clovis has a population of more than 32,000. The community was named after the first Christian king of the Franks.

"We have a fantastic quality of life here," says Bobby Ann Dietson, president of the Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce. "Our great climate and rural atmosphere offers warn friendliness and concern for each other in the community ...."

John Risher, executive director of the Clovis/Curry County Chamber, echoes Dietson's enthusiasm for the quality of life in Clovis and notes that it is built around the family. "Everywhere you turn, the family is first," he says.

"Clovis is poised for growth in the future," says Dr. James B. Moss, mayor of Clovis.

Education

Clovis schools have a reputation for excellence in both academic and activity programs. Test scores are traditionally above the state and national averages, and ACT scores for the current year average 19.69.

From the junior high through high school level, students may participate in band and choral music programs, performing and visual arts, a variety of sports and other programs. The Clovis Wildcats are known as champions statewide for their performance in music and sports.

As the largest employer in Clovis, the Clovis Municipal School system has a net monthly payroll of $814,098 for 811 employees which makes a $9.8 million annual impact on the Clovis economy. The total budget for the 1990-91 school year is $34.4 million with an operational budget of $25 million.

Eastern New Mexico University-Clovis is a comprehensive community college that provides higher educational opportunities by offering two-year associate degrees and one-year certificates in academic and technical/vocational programs. More than 3,000 students take advantage of the courses offered. Additionally, the Clovis campus serves adults and youngsters with non-credit community service classes and Kids College.

ENMU-Clovis also offers courses at Cannon Air Force Base and has a campus liaison in the base education office to assist military students and their dependents with educational needs.

Agriculture/Business

Agriculture is the largest industry in Curry County with a total of $98,626,000 worth of cash receipts in 1988, according to Bruce Hinrichs, Curry County extension agent. Curry County ranked third among New Mexico's 33 counties in total cash receipts for farm commodities.

The county produces 46 percent of the state's wheat, 4 percent of the state's grain sorghum, and 37 percent of the state's corn. Other crops include hay, cotton, barley, potatoes, and peanuts. New agriculture products include green beans, onions, cow peas, spinach, pumpkins, cantaloupes and cucumbers.

Curry County is also a major cattle producer with 105,000 head within the county. There are four feed yards in the county with a capacity for nearly 65,000 cattle. Cash receipts from livestock total $61 millions.

Agribusinesses include potato and onion processors, the largest fluid milk plant in the region, a frozen fruit bar manufacturer, a livestock auction and small ethanol plants. Other businesses provide seed, feed, fertilizer and farm and ranch supplies.

Kenneth Jones, chairman of the chamber's economic development council, says LaVista Milling has purchased the Golden West facility and adjacent property. The company will renovate the facilities this summer, and production of tortilla and pizza flour mixes will begin in the fall.

FrozFruit is planning to expand its frozen fruit bar production facility, and a plastic and recycling company is opening a plant in Clovis in the fall. Additionally, a dairy has announced its relocation to Clovis, and the economic development council is soliciting dairies from the Chino Valley in California.

Housing/Health Care/Services

The average sale cost of a new home is $75,000, according to Fred Eichenberger, president of the Clovis Board of Realtors. A variety of single family dwellings, condominiums and apartments are also available for rent throughout the city.

Clovis High Plains Hospital, a 106-bed acute care facility, offers 24-hour physician coverage in the emergency room, coronary and intensive care units, and a new day surgery facility.